In 1670, the Marathas attacked the fort of Sinhagarh or Lion Fort. The fort was located on a steep cliff. Its location gave it a strong natural protection, and made it almost impossible to capture from outside. The fort was under the Mughal commander, Mirza Raja Jai Singh. However, Shivaji was determined to gain control. Shivaji’s brilliant officer, Tanaji, had a plan. One dark night, the Maratha army reached the fort. Tanaji tied a strong rope to a monitor lizard named Yashvanti. He threw the lizard towards the top of the fortress walls. Using the strong suction on her fingertips, the lizard gripped the wall. One by one, 342 Maratha soldiers quickly climbed up the rope! Once inside the fort, a fierce battle started between the Marathas and the Mughals. Finally, the Marathas won, even though Tanaji was killed in the battle. When Shivaji heard this, he said, “We have won the Lion fort, but lost the Lion!”
The Fort of Sinhagarh
